Subject Area
Theology/Religious Education, Religion, Sociology
Abstract
ABSTRACT
April 27, 2024
SYSTEMIC RACISM TRANSFORMED TO SHALOM JUSTICE
This study examines the pervasive culture of systemic racism in the church and non-church communities and its impact on America. It argues how culture and systemic racism impact marginalized people (particularly African Americans and brown people) through policies and systems related to money, employment, education, health care, etc. Providing a description or argument for systemic racism formation offers a historical context of changes to shalom justice (society race in the image of God), relational and unilateral power with, power to, power within transformation from injustice to Shalom justice. An exploration of how to change from injustice (systemic racism) institutions to Shalom justice institutions that will benefit all people needs to be studied. The crucial role of the church and non-church community is transforming systemic racism institutions into Shalom justice institutions for all marginalized people. Amos’ rationale statement is, “But let justice roll on like a river, righteous like a never-failing stream (Amos 5:24). Biblical scriptures are about Shalom justice, which is all about public justice. This includes politics, economics, and religion.
An analysis of the Old Testament scriptures shows how the formation of systemic racism might have been legitimized as false truths. For example, “separate but equal” for Egyptians would not eat in the same room with Israelites. Joseph, his brothers, and the Egyptians were served in different rooms. Scriptures were studied where Shalom had prophets like Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel Hosea, and Jeremiah speak about doing justice (mishpat). The scriptures gave examples of how to use judgment, laws, or the divine to turn injustice into justice. The focus was reading and studying New Testament scriptures on Jesus' interaction with justice and injustice. The one strategy to bring about justice was to have a relationship with God, yourself, your neighbor, and creation through the spirit of love. Ultimately, the study affirms that every human was created in the image of Shalom and can contribute to actualizing a more just and equitable society. Shalom created the process for humans to build a relationship with God when Shalom blew the breath of life (spirit) into the lifeless human body. Once the process was separated by sin, Jesus Christ repaired the process by his death and resurrection.
Degree Date
Spring 5-11-2024
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
D.Min.
Department
Perkins School of Theology
Advisor
Dr. Recinos J. Harold
Second Advisor
Dr. Susanne Johnson
Number of Pages
104
Format
The Chicago Manual of Style 17
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Recommended Citation
West, Bobby, "SYSTEMIC RACISM TRANSFORMED to SHALOM JUSTICE." (2024). Doctor of Ministry Projects and Theses. 35.
https://scholar.smu.edu/theology_ministry_etds/35
Included in
First Amendment Commons, Fourteenth Amendment Commons, Human Rights Law Commons, Law and Race Commons, Legislation Commons, Religion Law Commons, Second Amendment Commons, Social Justice Commons, Supreme Court of the United States Commons
